Sindhu, Srikanth sail through at Thailand Open; Ayush exits in decider
Synopsis
India's badminton contingent delivered a split verdict at the Thailand Open as established names Sindhu and Srikanth breezed through opening hurdles, while young prospect Shetty stumbled against relentless Japanese opposition. The day's standout upset came from teenager Hooda, who toppled the home crowd's favourite, signalling fresh depth in India's women's singles pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Sindhu defeated Tung Ciou-Tong 21-9, 21-12 in 33 minutes to reach the second round.
Kidambi Srikanth beat Loh Kean Yew 21-14, 21-15 in a rematch of the 2021 World Championships final.
Ayush Shetty fell to Kodai Naraoka 21-13, 17-21, 21-4 despite a 2-1 head-to-head advantage.
Unnati Hooda upset home favourite Pornpawee Chochuwong 11-21, 21-17, 21-16 .
Anmol Kharb lost to defending champion Chen Yu Fei 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 after leading 11-2 in the decider.
P. V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the second round of the Thailand Open on Wednesday, with dominant displays at the Bangkok badminton tournament, while promising debutant Ayush Shetty fell in a hard-fought three-game battle.
Sindhu's clinical progression
The sixth-seeded Sindhu, a former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, dismantled Chinese Taipei's Tung Ciou-Tong with a commanding 21-9, 21-12 victory in just 33 minutes. The Indian controlled the rallies from the opening rally, blending precise placement with aggressive court movement to secure one of her quickest wins of the season. Sindhu, still chasing her maiden BWF World Tour title since winning the 2024 Syed Modi International, will next face Denmark's Amalie Schulz in their first-ever meeting.
Srikanth's authoritative display
Srikanth, who claimed the Thailand Open crown in 2013, delivered a polished performance to eliminate Singapore's Loh Kean Yew with a 21-14, 21-15 scoreline. The encounter marked a rematch of the 2021 World Championships final, with the former world No. 1 dictating terms throughout and rarely allowing his eighth-seeded opponent breathing room, despite a brief late surge in the second game. Srikanth will next confront Chinese Taipei's Su Li Yang for a quarter-final berth.
Shetty's gallant exit
Ayush Shetty could not sustain his momentum against Japan's sixth seed Kodai Naraoka, despite entering with a favourable 2-1 head-to-head record. The Indian recovered from losing the opening game to level at one apiece, but the decider spiralled away from him as Naraoka imposed his rhythm with relentless retrievals and pace, clinching a lopsided 21-13, 17-21, 21-4 triumph in 59 minutes.
Mixed fortunes for Indian hopefuls
Teenager Unnati Hooda pulled off a stunning upset against home favourite Pornpawee Chochuwong, prevailing 11-21, 21-17, 21-16. However, 19-year-old Anmol Kharb fell short against defending champion Chen Yu Fei after squandering a strong position; Kharb took the first game and led 11-2 in the decider before Chen mounted a comeback to win 19-21, 21-13, 21-18. Tharun Mannepalli also exited in straight sets to Japan's Koki Watanabe.
Action ahead
Later on Wednesday, Lakshya Sen, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, Malvika Bansod, and Isharani Baruah are scheduled to compete in singles action, while three Indian pairs will vie in mixed doubles matches.
Point of View
After forcing a third game, hints at mental brittleness when rallies tighten. Hooda's upset is encouraging, yet Kharb's meltdown from 11-2 up suggests that young Indians still struggle with match temperament in the final frames. The talent pipeline is there; consistency is the missing rung.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did P. V. Sindhu perform at the Thailand Open?
Sindhu defeated Tung Ciou-Tong 21-9, 21-12 in just 33 minutes , advancing to the second round. She will next face Denmark's Amalie Schulz in their first-ever meeting.
What was the result of Kidambi Srikanth's match?
Srikanth beat Singapore's Loh Kean Yew 21-14, 21-15 in a rematch of the 2021 World Championships final. He will next play Chinese Taipei's Su Li Yang for a quarter-final spot.
Why did Ayush Shetty lose to Kodai Naraoka?
Shetty lost 21-13, 17-21, 21-4 to Naraoka despite entering with a 2-1 head-to-head advantage. After forcing a decider, Shetty faltered as Naraoka tightened control with relentless retrievals and pace, dominating the third game.
Which Indian player pulled off an upset at the Thailand Open?
Teenager Unnati Hooda stunned home favourite Pornpawee Chochuwong 11-21, 21-17, 21-16 , securing a spot in the next round.
